Lee Rani revels at Belmont

Kendel Star sprinter Lee Rani is still good enough to win a Saturday race in town even though she’s probably a couple of lengths below her best form of a few seasons ago.

The six year-old mare scooted clear when the TAB Touch Hcp (1200m) was there to be won at Belmont last Saturday and, although getting tired with top-weight, she had enough in reserve to win by a head.

Lee Rani (6m Kendel Star – Statoway by Statoblest) is part-owned and prepared by Peter Finger who claims the mare just loves racing. “She’s so honest and always helps out when we need a result,” the Ascot-based trainer said. “I put blinkers on for the first time today and that did the trick. She had been losing concentration and doesn’t like it when the others are too close.”

Finger has won 7 races and almost $250,000 in prizemoney with Lee Rani. She also earned black-type when beaten a head and a nose in the LR Jungle Mist Classic at Ascot last summer.

Lee Rani is by Rivercrest Park stallion Kendel Star who is the last son of champion sire Kenmare still active in Australia. The best of his stock have been Ken’s Double and Mabel Grace.

Ken’s Double won his 10th race as a rising 8yo at Belmont last year and Mabel Grace also won 10 races and over $550,000 in prizemoney. She was retired after winning the LR Miss Andretti Stakes and LR Matchmaker Classic at Ascot in April.

Finger has a unnamed 2yo half-brother to Lee Rani by Rivercrest Park stallion Izmir (Red Ransom). Their dam Statoway is due in November with another foal by Kendel Star.

Rivercrest Park is situated in Western Australia’s south-west at Stratham. Studmaster Steve Hoare stands Kendel Star and Izmir alongside Famous Roman (Danetime) and Black Tom (Langfuhr).

Kendel Star is available at a $5,500 (inc gst) service fee.

– Karl Patterson